When frustrated radio listeners around Centre County desperately hit the scan button with a crazed desire for musical satisfaction, they may be surprised that their dial now stops on 107.9-FM(WINK 108).

WINK 108 is the newest addition to the local listening selection. The station has been broadcasting since Oct. 17.

Program Director Rod Stacy describes the format as "hit radio with an alternative edge."

It is not uncommon to hear Nine Inch Nails, next to a healthy dose of vintage Rolling Stones and other classic rock staples.

The station's target audience is no surprise for a college town.

"(The station) wants to get the 18 to 44 age group . . . but we're (also) getting excellent response from the over-30 population," Stacy said.

Variety is what Stacy wants WINK 108 to be known for in the listening area.

"Alternative is big, and the '80s stuff, they knew (it) growing up as a teen-ager," Stacy said.

In hopes of securing the college-age population, WINK 108's format was chosen so "a freshman in college is going to be more familiar with our music," Stacy said.

But the local competition does not completely agree. Employees at WBHV-FM (B-103) are confident their station has little to fear from WINK 108.

"To change any programming wouldn't help at all -- it might even hurt more than help," said Dave Dallow, program director for B-103.

WINK 108 is providing an alternative to the two local stations for some students. Kristi Myers (senior-agricultural business) likes WINK 108, but is not sure if WINK 108 or 97 QWK is the better station.

"(WINK 108 is) pretty good, a little different, a little more alternative," she said.

Despite this lack of concern from the competition, WINK 108 General Manager Randy Lapriola is not worried either.

"The other stations are doing well, but we wanted to do something different," Lapriola said, referring to WINK 108's alternative edge.

WINK 108 has had several meetings with cable provider TCI of Pennsylvania, and soon hopes to move into their Cable FM system, which allows better radio reception, Lapriola said.

Since radio ratings are not available until the spring, the true test of the fledgling station's popularity has not been determined. But Stacy describes the overall response so far as very positive.